St. Landry democrat., 1887-04-09

Eyes; / was quite ready. My business
was linished,'' returns he, steadily.
"Your business? Business with Mrs
Brandt
"And very serioas business. So se-
rous that it is conducted as secretly as
possible. y
ut has TO do with your-your-frn:"
asks She, in an awei tone.
"With-my firm? Yes. ] was sorry
you met me here. It is Of the utmost
consequence that my comings and goings
at that house should he kept dark"
He glances at her keenly as he speaks.
"You need not be afraid" says Nadine,
quietly Il shall say nothing of it. /
shall not mention having met you. You
may be at rest about that But confess
am amazed-astonished!"
Come in here 1t is a fine evening.
A walk will do you good, and-l have
something to say to YOU
Entering the principal entrance to the
park, they stroll together in silence
pass the row, the drive, the last touch of
| humanity in the shape of lifeguardsmen
and nursery maids, until they find them
selves in dull, out Of the way spot, and
virtually speaking alone.
| ''Yes; | am more surprised than | can
| tell YOU" says Nadine again, pausing to
! look into his face "To meet you there
And this secret business-1 hope it means
no harm to Millicclt-Miss GTey"'
''None at all, I assure YOU" He
| laughs easily II shall not harm Miss
Grey My business, so far as she Is con-
! cerned, will very soon be at an end.
'"Thcn she is mixed up with it.
"Nell. yes"
"Paul," says Nadine, leaning forward
| and speaking in low tone, Il think l
have guessed it. lit has something to
| do with-her sapphire9.'
| An extraordinary CLEAN flashes across
| Mr.. Annerlcv's features. 1t is moment
ary, but brilliant. Fear, suspicion and
| something stronger still are blended III II.
| 1t NAV be that he is disConcertcd at nav
! in., his .tbusincssn with Mrs. Sr&nd thus
| publicly put into words. TO be olscoY-
| cred. no matter how innocent the ofense,
is diaagrceable to most.
..You arc not pleased that have fornG
it OUT" suggests Nadine, timittly HLEf
do not LIT it distress YOU. sAi>1 bHlN
the knowledge in my heart No one SHAH
be the wiser for it.
"You VIII do well to DO So says An
ncrley. recovering himself with an elicit.
s'You will take care also not to let it be
| known bv word o. glance that you met
me tonight at Mrs, Brands. Much de-
ponds upon your taitaflllness IN TINS
| MATTER
Then you have found a clew to the
| thief You are on his tIackE' asks she,
brea;hlessly.
Yes; there is a clew" He pauses q
moment, looking down into her eyes as
though he would read her very Sou
swear to me You will not mention hoy
ing met me tonight, he says at last, il Il
low. vehement tore
HIS intensity friau'en her.
''Thcre is no nee for it. l have prom
ised; but if you wish it, ycs-I swear not
to reveal our having met, she answers,
neryously. "Wus it this you wished tc
say to me, Paul.
.'This-and something else. But
frSt'--
lie breaks off abruptly, and laying hi,
hands upon her shoulders, turns her 50
he can see her better. He has been gaz-
ing at her intently, and the extre ne
beauty Of her flower like face, enhanca ed
hy the touch of timidity his stern vo re
and manner have brought into it, HIS
set on fire the love that already burr
brightly in his bosom. She is the one
solitary thing on earth that he cares for
| the one human creature he adOres WITH
| q passion, wild. ungOvernable that some
| times from the very strength of 1t makes
even him tremble. If lie shcnid lose her
The very idea makes the b1oot rush tn
multuously to his head. And there is
that to be said to her tonight that
But she will not fail him-she shah not:
stNadine!" exclaims he, in a suppressed
tone-low, vehement Tell me that you
love me! l have loved you so well that
[ will not believe you have given me nc
return All my heart-nay, my very
SOUL is yours to save or ruin, as yor
will. Is such devotion to go unrewarded
See! am notwithstanding before yo1
| rs the yeriest leaf that grows, lest YOU
word fail me. Does not this touch you
Are you insensible, heartless? Well, then
if you cannot from your heart say thai
YOU love me- AZ least tell me that you
, heart is empty-that you are indifferent
, to all the world"
} He waited breathlessly. But as tht
! waiting lengthens a dark frown gathers
On his brow, and savage expression
curves his lips. Nadine, faint, terrified
and still with that terrible numDnes
oyerpowerng her, draws back step O.
two and presses her hand convulsivel,
against ncr lGce. AHHeEley, layIug III
hands upon her shoulders, gives her
, violent shake. A low Cry escapes her
This cry releases her from the nervou
bondage in which she has been held.
"Speak, girlN' cries he roughly. 81
: 5 true you never yet told me that yol
love me. Am now to learn that yo1
( have made that confession to anothe
t MANI"
/ ooh! no! nor The assurance fall
y from her with fervor which he place
t 10 wrong account. With a passionat
i 5hankfulness she tells herself that sh
ean at least answer this last question
= with truth. To no man has she said
G II love YOU"
q "Ahr' says Annerley, drawing lon
:. breath of eager relief, "that is well fo
;. my rival had he existed"
There Is such subdued ferocity in hi
. tone that Nadine shivers.
s ''Be content" she says calmly, "yo
| 4.